Tony Naylor asks why modern rock seems to be prejudiced against the posh musician. And if it is, whither Vampire Weekend?
Historically, rock’s cool kids have been of solid working class stock: Paul Weller, Noel Gallagher, Mike Skinner. Intoxicated by the glamour of the street, the authenticity of the shop floor and the romance of poverty, rock’s tastemakers - generally white, middle-class boys full of self-loathing and wildly patronising ideas about life outside Oxbridge - have idolised Britain’s guitar-toting Everymen, while giving their own wealthy, well connected kind, the Lily Allens and Jack Penates of this world, all sorts of stick.
Personally, I thought we give Lily Allen stick because she pretends to be street, but I can’t say I’ve ever followed her career with any kind of regular attention. But the best part of this conversation is the argument on whether Pink Floyd has any influence anymore, and can the working class appreciate posh tea? As the Tony chimes back in to defend himself:
Right then…
1) I like the distinction between bourgeois and middle class above. “Class” is about culture and conditioning as much as it is your parents’ bank balance. Although, I’m not sure the sons and daughters of the bourgeoisie, no matter what foibles they have picked up from mummy and daddy, couldn’t make some damn fine, burning-with-frustration music. Joe Strummer’s dad was a diplomat, no?
2) Pink Floyd. Do they exert some influence? Yes. Jesus, The Libertines claimed to have been inspired by Chas ‘n’ Dave. Any band no matter how bad and/ or discredited will have their followers. However, pick up this week’s NME and read the new bands profiles. You’ll find 11 new acts referencing everything from Kompakt Records to, erm, King Crimson… but no mention for the Floyd. Thankfully.
3)The Strokes. This is precisely what I was talking about in the original blog piece. Did the Strokes hide their background or just not advertise it, for fear of the sniping which would/ did then ensue in the press? Moreover, I really, really can’t begin to care how they exploited their connections or not to get a deal (with Rough Trade, remember). Should I not listen to what, at the time, sounded like the most exciting thing in music for 10 years until I’ve scrutinised who said what to whose dad, who might have known so-and-so A&R man blah blah blah. Is the music stunning? If so, I don’t care how it came into being.
4) Now this is the most important bit… tea. I am a ponce in many ways, but I couldn’t tell Darjeeling from English Breakfast. I like proper tea: Yorkshire Tea or, currently, Morrisson’s own-brand organic Fairtrade bags. If you want to apply a class analysis to all this, I suppose I’m betraying my working class roots by not buying Typhoo.
